A former champion racing driver has died after his own car fell on top of him outside a friend's house. Lewis Blake Edwards, from Pontyclun, was a favourite amongst fans of motor sport after he won the first ever Welsh Sports And Saloon Car Championship in 1990, and again in 1991.
However, the 75-year-old - best known on the circuit as 'Blake' - had been painting the chassis of his Volvo V70 Estate at the rear of a property in Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf on the morning of Sunday, February 26 when the supports propping up the vehicle suddenly gave way. The car then dropped on Edwards, a long-term and well-respected member of the Welsh Racing Drivers Association, trapping him underneath.
"It landed on Blake's chest," said friend Lyndon Richards. "Someone from a neighbouring property found him a few minutes later.
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"They then shouted to a nurse who lives opposite for help and a call was made to the emergency services. Everyone did everything they could."
Mr Richards added that Edwards was taken to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where he was admitted to the critical care unit. "Sadly, despite the best efforts of medical staff, Blake died on Saturday, March 4. His son Ashley was by his side," he said.
Paying tribute to the "best mate a bloke could have," Mr Richards recalled how Edwards would reach speeds of 186mph on the straight during his heyday whilst driving a modified Capri. More recently a familiar fixture as a safety driver at tracks such as Brands Hatch, Silverstone and Pembrey, he'd even had a coveted racing trophy named after him.
"He was such a brilliant driver but never boasted of his achievements. In fact, he had a very dry sense of humour about it all," said Mr Richards.
"I remember his fuel line once broke during a race and ended up spraying him with petrol, which then caught alight. But Blake could only crack jokes about how the track marshals had spent more time putting out the flames on his car than on him."
Mr Richards added that Edwards' funeral will take place in Pontyclun on Tuesday, April 4. A statement from Welsh Ambulance Service read: "We were called at 11:33am on Sunday, February 26 to an incident at an address in Heol Waun, Tonyrefail.
"We deployed an emergency ambulance, an air ambulance, and a duty operations manager to the location. We were also supported by the Hazardous Area Rescue Team and MedServe Doctors - specialist doctors that deal with trauma cases.
"One patient was conveyed by road to University Hospital Of Wales for further treatment." A crew from Tonypandy Fire and Rescue Station also attended the scene.
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